C1013 The News Was Delayed

If she allied herself with the Boulderdawn Sect and turned her back on the Everlands, she would be marked for death by all.

Peach Madam's alluring face twisted in response to Yu Yuan's words.

Despite her evil inclinations being amplified, Peach Madam was still visibly shaken by Yu Yuan's remarks.

She couldn't help but wonder, had she been too impulsive? How had she managed to antagonize Yu Yuan?

She had embraced all of Hu Caiyun's experiences, as she was Hu Caiyun's alter ego.

Back in the Embers Sea, she had only heard Hei Xun mention Yu Yuan in passing, paying him mind solely because of his connection to the Crucible of Evil.

At that time, Yu Yuan had no ties to the Boulderdawn Sect.

Was it possible that Yu Yuan was a chosen disciple of the Boulderdawn Sect, having mastered their mystique? Otherwise, why would the five great powers give a second thought to this young upstart?

The Boulderdawn Sect's reputation in the Everlands was obscure, and she had known little about them. But after her encounters with Hei Xun and her ventures into the Star River, she came to realize the staggering might of the Boulderdawn Sect.

If Yu Yuan was indeed linked to the Boulderdawn Sect, she would need to think twice before acting, even after reuniting with her original self and acquiring the power to eliminate Yu Yuan.

Peach Madam silently cursed, remaining vigilant as her expression shifted once more.

At that moment, five dark disciples from the northern reaches of the Land of Quiescence, intent on ambushing the black iron warship, had breached the Void Wall Yu Yuan had deliberately unlocked, making their presence known in the skies of the Nirvana Realm.

She had been locked in a prolonged battle with her other half, only just managing to turn the tide and secure victory over her other self.

Until their powers fully integrated, she could not ascend to the Unbound State.

As such, her combat prowess was currently on par with a Solar Spirit.

Her previous grandiose declarations were merely bluster; without regaining the Unbound State, she doubted her ability to best the five dark disciples.

"Peach Madam, I'll leave them to you," Yu Yuan said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

In just a few days, the Dragon Slaying Stage behind him would be restored to its former glory. Then, even with the instability of the space rift, he would be able to traverse the Star River and depart.

With such confidence, bolstered by the knowledge that the five dark disciples were merely at the Solar Spirit level, he wasn't particularly frightened.

"Where have the bandits on the black iron warship disappeared to?"

The stooped elder from the Taintborn Sect, dragging a large net filled with heads, stepped into the Nirvana Realm. His attention was immediately drawn to the stationary black iron warship. After extending his soul's perception and inspecting it, he shook his head in disappointment. "I need the heads of Otherkin experts to accrue battle credits. This accursed place... Wait, what's that?"

He noticed the Rainbow Ocean outside Veilfall Canyon and the elusive figures within it.

The stately woman from the Ruby Hand, her brows knitting together, cried out in alarm, "Peach Madam!"

Zhan Ruonan of the Ruby Hand, who had previously ventured into the miasmic mist of the Rainbow Ocean, recognized the figure shrouded within the colorful clouds. It was none other than Peach Madam, who had, years earlier, breached the wall of the Embers Sea alongside Hei Xun, the Pale Reaper, and White Crane.

"Rainbow Ocean, Peach Madam!"

The elder from the Binders of Shadows, standing atop a massive talisman, and a seemingly young man from the Poison Cult, both uttered exclamations of surprise.

Peach Madam, with her Unbound Realm cultivation and long residence in the Rainbow Ocean, coupled with her unique spell, had garnered considerable renown.

Upon spotting her in the Nirvana Realm, the five Solar Spirit-level dark disciples were visibly startled and anxious.

They exchanged hurried whispers.

"She's fallen from her realm."

Sun Jun, also from the Ruby Hand, produced a purple eyeball from his sleeve and peered at Peach Madam, his expression easing. "No need to worry, she's encountered her own troubles."

"I've heard as well that after her spree of killings in Yogreron, she wasn't quite right and left in haste," murmured Zhan Ruonan.

"Then what is there to fear?" scoffed the hunchbacked Gou Yungui, giving his large net a shake. "She was merely at the early stages of the Unbound Realm. After her fall, she's no threat to us. When she left the Everlands, she only managed with the aid of Hei Xun and the support of Boulderdawn. In the Star River of the extraterrestrial realms, she should be the one fearing us!"

As he finished speaking, Gou Yungui didn't wait for anyone else to decide and swiftly flew down.

Following his lead, Yang Yi, who was riding on a spell that resembled a flying carpet, quickly trailed behind him.

Consequently, a group of five dark disciples from the Solar Spirit Realm, having ventured from the northern reaches of the Land of Quiescence, temporarily left their black iron warship behind and set off toward Veilfall Canyon.

"The bodies of these five Solar Spirits are crafted from Soul Power and pure spiritual energy, combined with rare magic items. They should fear neither miasma nor poison," Yu Yuan assessed with just a glance, gauging their combat strength and realm. He surmised that the most formidable among them was the stately woman from the Ruby Hand.

Human cultivators, upon first entering the Solar Spirit Stage, often venture out of the Everlands to hone their skills in the extraterrestrial Star River.

The Solar Spirit stage is ideally suited for breakthroughs in the Star River, where the myriad psionic powers can aid in the refinement of the Solar Spirit.

However, once one surpasses the Solar Spirit level and ascends to the Unbound Realm, they are no longer bound by such constraints. Whether separating from the Solar Spirit or soaring through the Star River in their real body, they remain unscathed.

Peach Madam, with her Unbound Realm cultivation, was able to escape in her real body. Her previous weakness stemmed from integrating both her inner demon and the toxic miasma into her Solar Spirit Body.

Subsequently, the inner demon and the miasma-infused Solar Spirit Body overwhelmed her, merging with and dominating her real body.

"From Ruby Hand, Zhan Ruonan, at your service, Madam!"

"Binders of Shadows, Yang Yi!"

"Poison Cult, Huang Zhenlong."

"Taintborn, Gou Yungui."

Aside from Sun Jun of the Ruby Hand, the other four Solar Spirit Realm cultivators introduced themselves upon nearing the Rainbow Ocean.

While in the Everlands, Peach Madam had her differences with the five great powers, yet she committed no unforgivable offenses against the realm.

Before her departure, she teamed up with Hei Xun and received assistance from Boulderdawn.

Thus, upon encountering her in the Star River, the five dark disciples initially treated her with respect, eager to understand the situation. They sought to gauge Peach Madam's intentions before making any final decisions.

"Crucible of Evil!"

Sun Jun, his face expressionless, had his attention abruptly drawn to a dark cauldron suspended about ten meters above the ground in Veilfall Canyon as they were declaring their identities.

He hadn't yet noticed Yu Yuan, hidden in the depths of the valley, and was slow to react.

The bright space rifts deep within the canyon created a chaotic aura, disrupting their soul and vitality senses, and the rest of the group remained unaware.

However, as soon as Sun Jun mentioned it, the eyes of the other four members momentarily shifted away from the Rainbow Ocean.

"Crucible of Evil, Yu Yuan!"

Zhan Ruonan inhaled sharply, her expression turning quite peculiar.

Their five-person team had not returned to the Everlands for some time and had not regrouped with the main force, missing out on the latest news. Their last impression of Yu Yuan was from the Land of Terror, where he and the White Bone King seemed to have triumphed over Dhoreus, chosen by the five Supreme Beings.

To them, Yu Yuan was seen as audaciously brave.

Thanks to the Hellbreed Zhou Cangmin, Faang Yao, and Yuan Lianyao, the cultivators from Ruby Hand held Yu Yuan in high regard. Upon seeing the Crucible of Evil, Zhan Ruonan's initial thought was that Yu Yuan might have perished, and someone, possibly even Mo Yan, could have claimed the Crucible of Evil!

Whoosh!

Zhan Ruonan transformed into a streak of deep red flame and reached Veilfall Canyon in an instant.

There she saw Yu Yuan, standing before a tangle of space rifts, clad in black, his handsome features and enigmatic presence unmistakable.

The dark cauldron and the Frost Queen, who had ceased her pursuit, were positioned near Yu Yuan—one above his head and the other by his side.

Beside them sat a disheartened young Voidweaver girl, her head bowed in defeat.

"This..."

Zhan Ruonan was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.

"Have you received the bounty for my head?" Yu Yuan asked with a smile.

"A bounty?" Zhan Ruonan shook her head.

Yu Yuan realized she must be behind on the news and not privy to many recent events. Otherwise, Zhan Ruonan's composure upon seeing him would be unlikely.

"It's a relief you haven't encountered her. Peach Madam, Hu Caiyun, has been overtaken by her inner demon and the toxic miasma. She's out to kill you, so be on your guard." Yu Yuan said with a chuckle.

"That explains the decline in your power level. Now it all makes sense." Zhan Ruonan murmured, then exclaimed in surprise, "Is that really you, Yu Yuan? How did you get here? Wait, that's not right. You're only in the Spirit Walk state. By all accounts, you shouldn't be out this early!"

At that moment, Sun Jun of the Ruby Hand, concerned for her, followed suit.

With his unusual purple eyes, Sun Jun examined Yu Yuan and spoke with a grave tone, "Sister Nan, his true combat strength far exceeds his apparent state. There's something very odd about his body... I can sense the vitality of the Otherkin within him, and it's a blend from a multitude of Otherkin."

Zhan Ruonan was startled once more. "Tell us about what's happened to you."

"There's no need; you're better off not knowing," Yu Yuan replied with a smile and a shake of his head, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I had hoped that my exploits were known across the Star River. Alas, it seems I was overly optimistic."

"What's really going on?" Zhan Ruonan's curiosity was now fully engaged.

"My words won't do any good; you need to discover the truth for yourselves," Yu Yuan responded, gesturing for them to leave. "I'll be in the Nirvana Realm for a bit longer. Since you're unaware of the current state of affairs, it's best to discuss this after I've departed."

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